Katherine Szymanski Campen of Cape Carteret passed away after battling cancer.
Born on December 4, 1955, in Portsmouth, Virginia, Katherine Szymanski Campen grew up in the Ocean View area of Norfolk, Virginia.
From ages 6 through 21, she competed as a swimmer on the state and regional levels, winning many awards.
Campen was also selected for the Virginia State All-Star Team for three years.
She swam on her Norfolk Catholic high school team when girls were first allowed to compete against the boys and qualified for the regional meet in her sophomore, junior, and senior years.
Due to rules in the state where the event was held, she was not allowed to compete until her senior year, when she made the semifinals and was the only girl in the entire meet.
In addition, Campen served as a lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor to pay her college fees.
After college, she studied at the Medical College of Virginia Department of Human Genetics. She completed her coursework but did not complete her thesis before marrying and moving to Carteret County in 1983.
Her first job was as an educator for the Sickle Cell Agency in Jacksonville, NC. Later, in 1988, she and a business partner opened a Gourmet Shop, Taste Makers, Inc., in Emerald Isle. They sold the store in 1993.
She also volunteered in the Carteret County School System for many years and received State of North Carolina Awards from the Governor in 1998 and 2007.
Katherine Szymanski Campen Died After A Long Battle With Cancer
A swimmer at Norfolk Catholic High School, Katherine Szymanski Campen, took her last breath on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 69, following the complications of cancer.
Before her death, Katherine requested that her memorial contributions be held at Boy Scouts of American Tropp 446 (who helped her in a time of need), c/o Cape Carteret Presbyterian Church, 100 Yaupon Drive, Cape Carteret, NC 28584.
Closed ones and relatives have poured their heartfelt condolences and sent prayers to Katherine’s family to stay strong in this heartbreaking moment.
Katherine will always be remembered for her contributions as a Norfolk High School swimmer and Carteret County School System volunteer.
Rest in Peace, Katherine Szymanski Campen.
Katherine Szymanski Campen Leaves Behind His Son Zane And Daughter-In-Law Katie
Katherine Szymanski and her former spouse, Floyd, had a son named Zane Campen, who married Katie Campen. They were blessed with a granddaughter, Ellianah.
As per Zane’s Facebook handle, he is originally from Emerald Isle, North Carolina, but he lives with his family in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Katie’s official LinkedIn profile showcased that she pursued her bachelor’s degree from Furman University and later studied law at the University of Tennessee College of Law.
Later, she served as the immigration attorney at the Law Offices of Stefan Latorre, P.A., from June 2014 to January 2016.
She has been serving as the immigration attorney for the Law Office of Brian D. Smith, P.C., since February 2016.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Katherine’s art photography won many awards, including first place in the 1997 North Carolina Seafood Festival Photo Contest, B&W Division, for her image, “Cleaning the Catch.”
- She was predeceased by her parents, Chester and Mary Szymanski, one brother, Gary, and brother-in-law, Bill Talbert.
- Campen attended the College William & Mary for two years before transferring to Old Dominion University completing a BS in Biology Cum Laude in 1978.
